"That amounts to nothing whatever," said Marat. "Everywhere throughout the Vendée prisoners are helped to escape, and any man may shelter them with impunity." "That is because the decree is no longer in force, Marat." "It must be revived, Chabot." "No doubt it needs to be revived." "And to accomplish this we must address the Convention." "There will be no need to do that, Marat; the Committee of Public Safety will suffice." "The object will be attained," added Montaut, "if the Committee of Public Safety order the decree to be placarded in every Commune of the Vendée, and make two or three suitable examples." "Of men in authority," rejoined Chabot. "Of the generals." Marat mumbled between his teeth, "Yes, I suppose that will answer." "Marat," continued Chabot, "go and say that to the Committee of Public Safety yourself." Marat gazed steadily at him, which was not pleasant, even for a Chabot. "Chabot," he said, "the Committee of Public Safety meets at Robespierre's house; I do not visit Robespierre." "Then I will go myself," said Montaut. "Very well," replied Marat. The next day a mandate from the Committee of Public Safety was sent in all directions, ordering the authorities of the cities and villages of the Vendée not only to publish, but also strictly to execute, a decree awarding the penalty of death to all who were known to aid and abet the escape of brigands and rebel prisoners. This decree was but the first step. The Convention was to go still farther than that. Several months later, on the 11th Brumaire, in the year II. (November, 1793), when Laval opened its gates to the Vendean fugitives, it decreed that every city that sheltered rebels should be demolished and destroyed. The princes of Europe, on their side, in the manifesto of the Duke of Brunswick, suggested by the Émigrés and drawn up by the Marquis of Linnon, steward to the Duke of Orleans, declared that every Frenchman taken with arms in his hand should be shot, and if but a hair fell from the head of the king, Paris should be razed to the ground. Cruelty against barbarity. [Footnote 1: Moniteur, vol. xix. p. 81.] [Illustration: In the Vendée 066] PART III. IN THE VENDÉE. BOOK I. THE VENDÉE. [Illustration 067] I. THE FORESTS. [Illustration 068] There were in Brittany at that time seven much-dreaded forests. The Vendean war was a rebellion among priests, and the forest was their auxiliary. The spirits of darkness help one another.